Irwin M. Jacobs facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Irwin M. Jacobs
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Jacobs in 2005
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Irwin Mark Jacobs
October 18, 1933 |
| Alma mater | Cornell University (BSc) Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MSc, DSc) |
| Occupation | Engineer, businessman |
| Known for | Co-founder of Qualcomm |
| Spouse(s) | Joan Klein (m. 1954, died 2024) |
| Children | 4, including Gary E. Jacobs and Paul E. Jacobs |
| Relatives | Sara Jacobs (granddaughter) |
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Irwin Mark Jacobs, born on October 18, 1933, is a smart American engineer and a successful businessman. He helped start a famous company called Qualcomm. He also used to lead the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, which is a place for scientific research. In 2019, his wealth was estimated to be about $1.2 billion.
Contents
Irwin Jacobs' Early Life and Learning
Irwin Jacobs grew up in New Bedford, Massachusetts. He loved learning about electricity and computers. He went to Cornell University and earned his first degree in electrical engineering in 1956. Later, he studied at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). There, he earned two more advanced degrees in electrical engineering and computer science in 1957 and 1959.
Irwin Jacobs' Amazing Career
Irwin Jacobs started his career as a professor. From 1959 to 1966, he taught electrical engineering at MIT. Then, from 1966 to 1972, he was a professor at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). He even wrote an important textbook about communication engineering in 1965. Today, the Jacobs School of Engineering at UCSD is named after him and his wife.
Starting Linkabit Corporation
In 1968, Jacobs co-founded a company called Linkabit with Andrew Viterbi. They worked on creating special devices to encrypt (or code) satellite signals. This company later joined with another company in 1980.
Creating Qualcomm Inc.
In 1985, Jacobs helped start another very important company: Qualcomm Inc.. He started it with Andrew Viterbi and other talented people. Qualcomm created a system called OmniTRACS. This system was a very advanced way for vehicles to communicate and be tracked using satellites.
Jacobs was a pioneer in making communication systems more efficient. He helped develop CDMA technology. CDMA became one of the main digital standards for cell phones in North America. In March 2009, Jacobs stepped down as chairman of Qualcomm. His son, Paul E. Jacobs, took over his role.
Important Groups and Connections
Irwin Jacobs is a member of many important groups. In 1982, he was chosen to be part of the National Academy of Engineering. This was because of his great work in communication and his leadership in creating new technologies. He is also a Fellow of the IEEE, which is a big organization for engineers.
He serves as chairman for the Salk Institute for Biological Studies. He is also on advisory boards for universities in Israel and China. These roles show his dedication to science, technology, and education around the world.
Awards and Special Honors
Irwin Jacobs has received many awards for his amazing work.
- In 1994, he was given the National Medal of Technology and Innovation. This was for his development of CDMA technology.
- In 1995, he won the IEEE Alexander Graham Bell Medal. This award recognized his outstanding contributions to telecommunications.
- In 2000, he was added to the Wireless Hall of Fame. This honored his important role in the cell phone industry.
- In 2011, he received the Marconi Prize, a very prestigious award in communication.
- In 2013, he was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame.
- Also in 2013, he received the IEEE Medal of Honor. This is the highest award an engineer can get from their peers. It recognized his innovations and his ability to turn new ideas into real-world products.
- In 2014, he was elected to the Computer History Museum as a Fellow. This was for his pioneering work in mobile phones and data communication.
- In 2015, he received the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy for his generous giving.
- In 2017, he and Andrew Viterbi received the IEEE Milestone Award for their CDMA and spread spectrum work.
Giving Back: Philanthropy
Irwin Jacobs and his wife, Joan, have given a lot of money to help others. They have donated hundreds of millions of dollars, especially to education and the arts. Their donations mostly support students in engineering and computer science, and they focus on the San Diego area. People in San Diego even call him the "Philanthropist in Chief."
Major Donations
- Jacobs has given over $31 million to MIT, where he studied.
- He has donated over $125 million to the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), where he used to teach.
- He has also given money to the American Society for Technion, his alma mater Cornell University, and KPBS Radio and Television.
- In 2002, Irwin and Joan Jacobs donated $5 million to the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego.
- They pledged $120 million to the San Diego Symphony and $100 million for a new hospital at UCSD.
- In 2013, the Jacobs family donated $133 million to help build the Cornell Tech campus in New York City.
- In 2022, the American Civil Liberties Union Foundation renamed its Supreme Court cases list in their honor after a $20 million gift.
The Giving Pledge
In August 2010, Irwin and Joan Jacobs joined "The Giving Pledge." This means they promised to give away most of their wealth to charity during their lifetime or in their wills.
Irwin Jacobs' Family Life
In 1954, Irwin Jacobs married Joan Klein, who was also a graduate of Cornell University. Joan passed away on May 6, 2024. The couple lived in La Jolla, California, and had four sons.
- Their son, Paul E. Jacobs, took over as CEO of Qualcomm after Irwin.
- Another son, Jeff Jacobs, was a chief marketing officer at Qualcomm.
- Hal Jacobs, their second oldest son, helped produce the musical Jersey Boys.
- Their eldest son, Gary E. Jacobs, leads the board of the Gary and Jerri-Ann Jacobs High Tech High Charter School.
- His granddaughter, Sara Jacobs, is a politician who represents California in the U.S. Congress.
See also
In Spanish: Irwin M. Jacobs para niños
